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Evaluating wetland restoration success is complicated. In this study, soil organic carbon (SOC) pools in a Carolina Bay wetland (CBW) were determined for pre‐ and post‐restoration periods and compared to values in reference wetlands to determine if SOC could be used to evaluate restoration success. The CBW was Juniper Bay in Robeson County, NC, USA, that had been restored for 15 years following its use for agriculture. Previously, we determined both pre‐restoration SOCs and post‐restoration hydrology. Saturation occurrence and anaerobic conditions (15 years following restoration) were confirmed with Indicator of Reduction in Soils (IRIS) tubes. Soil morphological features, litter thickness, and SOC to 75 cm were also determined. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences in numbers of hydric soil field indicators in the organic soils and no differences in the mineral soils (p > 0.10) between pre‐ and post‐restoration periods. Litter thickness post‐restoration increased linearly with saturation duration. SOC decreased following restoration by 49% in mineral soils and 24% in organic soils as compared to pre‐restoration values. SOC concentrations in the restored wetland were not significantly different than those in reference wetlands indicating that the Juniper Bay restoration was successfully sequestering C. Litter thickness may be a good indicator of restoration success. SOC levels may decrease compared to reference wetland values if pre‐restoration soils were in agriculture. Core Ideas: Wetland soils had less organic C after 15 years of restoration than the pre‐restoration, agricultural soils.Organic litter accumulated on the post‐restoration surface and its thickness increased with saturation.Organic C levels in restored soils were similar to those found in reference wetlands of the same type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Understanding dissolution and transport of phosphorus (P) from organic soils in agricultural fields and restored wetlands is critical for devising management strategies to mitigate P losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dissolution of P in water flowing through the vadose zone-shallow ground water continuum of an organic soil. Three 90cm×50cm×8cm flow cells were uniformly packed with organic soil material from a Ponzer muck (Terric Haplosaprists) collected from an area that had been in agricultural production for at least 30years. The packed flow cells were instrumented with soil solution samplers and platinum-tipped redox electrodes at approximately 5cm below a simulated water table (WT), and in the capillary fringe (CF) at approximately 5 and 20cm above the WT to collect soil solution and monitor the reduction potential (Eh), respectively. Distilled water was continuously supplied at constant rates of 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6Ld−1 to one end, and drained at the other end of the flow cells while maintaining a WT at 12cm above the bottom of the midpoint of each flow cell. Phosphorus concentration in the outflow solution was consistently above the USEPA water quality criteria of 0.1mgL−1. Changes in pore-water velocity did not alter the amounts of P leached within the time frame of the experiment. Dissolved phosphorus concentrations at both 5cm below and 5cm above the WT were significantly higher than at 20cm above the WT. This observation indicated that P that leached out of the flow cells was not only from the saturated zone but also from the lower part of the CF. These results suggest that controlling the height of the WT to limit saturation of P enriched surficial soils, while considering the contribution of the CF, may be an effective management tool for limiting P export from restored wetland sited on former agricultural fields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Histosols are a huge reservoir for C, covering <1% of the world''s land surface but storing up to 12% of total soil C. Thorough comprehension of factors controlling the rate of soil C loss from Histosols is critical for proper management of these C sinks. Two experiments evaluated how formerly cultivated, warm-climate Histosols undergoing wetland restoration respond to decreases in soil temperatures via vegetative shading, under different water table conditions. We compared temperature and soil CO2 efflux differences from intact soil cores under three levels of light reduction in a greenhouse: 0%, 70%, and 90%. Soil in full sun was consistently warmer and showed higher efflux rates than 70% and 90% shade treatments: 4.132, 3.438, and 2.054μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, respectively. Shade treatments reached peak efflux rates at similar water potential, −2 to −4kPa. A field experiment subjected in-situ soil to full sun, 70% light reduction, and light reduction from naturally occurring herbaceous vegetation. Shade treatment effects on soil temperature and C mineralization were evident throughout the growing season. Vegetative shade effects on soil temperature were greatest in August and September when soil under vegetation was 5–11°C cooler than unshaded soil. Soil CO2 efflux was correlated strongly with soil temperature; daily efflux rates were consistently highest from unshaded soil. Efflux across treatments showed a strong seasonal correlation to soil moisture, increasing as soil dried in response to water table decline. Soil water potential was unaffected by shade treatment, suggesting temperature effects were solely responsible for efflux differences between treatments. All results confirm that surface shading has a strong influence on soil temperatures and C mineralization rates. Management to enhance vegetative shading in wetland restoration projects may be an effective strategy for slowing soil C losses and promoting soil C sequestration when O2 is not limiting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]